PLANETARY MATERIAL PROPERTIES

Planetary processes drive materials through a tremdendous range of pressures and temperatures. Using dynamic compression and decompression, we measure the equations of state and material properties of planetary materials.

Using shock physics experiments, we measure the equations of state and material properties of planetary rocks and minerals. These fundamental data are used to build more robust models of planetary processes. Our group develops new experimental techniques to measure physical properties under the same pressure-temperature conditions encountered during planet formation and evolution.

Our group focuses on measurements of phase boundaries and the rheological response of planetary materials. These data are used to derive the volume of melt and vapor produced during impact events. Other studies have investigated changes in magnetic properties and shock-induced devolatilization.